One of the most effective tools in the estate planning process is a trust, which can offer significant advantages-including the ability to bypass the often lengthy and costly probate process. Trusts, ...

Probate can be a lengthy and complex process, leaving executors eager to find ways to expedite it. Familiarizing yourself with the legal procedures and documentation required to settle an estate ...

Q: A fairly wealthy friend of mine recently passed away. Supposedly, in his will he left most everything to his spouse. The problem is that she has been told by her lawyer it will take up to six ...

When a loved one passes away and you know you need to get the probate court involved, oftentimes people find themselves asking where they begin. Further, people often wonder if they must get an ...

An executor is an individual appointed to manage the estate of a deceased person, generally specified in their will. The executor has a significant role, ensuring that the deceased's assets are ...

Estate Planning and Probate are crucial aspects of managing and transferring wealth. Estate Planning involves preparing for the distribution of an individual's assets upon their death or ...

Probate can feel like stepping into a maze of legal paperwork, court deadlines and emotional decisions, often at one of life’s more difficult moments. Families suddenly find themselves juggling ...

The neighbor, Joann, was a widow with no children. Joann's will specified that all of her assets would go to Sarah's dad and ...

In past weeks this weekly column has written about why you want to own your real estate until you pass away and the potential downfalls if you give your real estate to your kids before your death.

Before you invest time and money into probate avoidance strategies, it's worth taking a step back to understand whether this ...